Canada Lithium launches pilot-scale metallurgical test; undertakes review of
open-pit potential
TSXV: CLQ
The 20-tonne bulk sample has been sent to SGS Lakefield, which will commence the first stage of pilot plant metallurgical testwork to produce a battery-grade lithium carbonate product. As previously reported, bench-scale metallurgical tests at SGS successfully produced battery-grade 99.6% lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) using standard flow-sheet processes.
"This pilot-scale test work is the next phase of metallurgical tests for our project development, following a successful first stage," said
In addition, the Company has commissioned engineering firm BBA Inc. to determine the potential for an open-pit operation rather than an underground mine. The analysis was initiated following the announcement in early November that the conceptual target had doubled to 29-30 million tonnes grading 1.1%-1.2% Li2O. (The potential quantity and grade is conceptual in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource. It is uncertain if further exploration will result in the discovery of a mineral resource. This estimate cannot be considered current and reliable.)
"Our initial concept was a ramp-access underground operation, but with the geological studies undertaken to date, we have commissioned our engineering consultants BBA Inc. to model the open-pit potential,"
The digitizing and modeling of all historical data from the 400 holes drilled when the mine was operating up to the mid-1960s was undertaken by Caracle Creek International Consulting (CCIC) this past fall. This work culminated in the new conceptual target estimate of 29-30 million tonnes, well above the historical NI 43-101 non-compliant resource of 15 million tonnes grading 1.4% Li2O.The CCIC-supervised 7,000-metre drill program is now 70% complete and initial assays are expected in the near future. The majority of the drill program is focused on twinning historical drill holes in order to prepare a 43-101 compliant resource estimate. The pre-feasibility study currently under way is on track for completion in the first quarter of 2010.
The historical estimate of 15 million tonnes at 1.14% Li2O is not compliant with NI-43-101 due to the fact that the original core samples from the historic drilling programs were lost when the mine closed down in 1965 and the assay data cannot be verified. A Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources;
The conceptual tonnage exploration target was prepared by
As noted above, test samples were processed by SGS Lakefield.
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For further information: Peter Secker, President and CEO, (416) 361-2821; Olav Svela, Director, Investor Relations, (416) 361-2821, [email protected]; Dan Symons, Renmark Financial Communications Inc., (514) 939-3989, [email protected]
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